Every patient and their family are unique and it is a privilege to care for them.

Personal Interests

Running, Reading, Southern and American History

Medical School

Medical College of Virginia

Residency

Medical College of Virginia & National Institute of Health

Fellowship(s)

Medical College of Virginia & The Children's Hospital (Boston)

Board Certifications

American Board of SurgeryAmerican Board of Thoracic Surgery

Languages:

English

Professional Associations:

Humera Society, International Society for Heart Transplantation, The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, The Southern Thoracic Surgical Association, Fellow, American College of Surgeons, Virginia Surgical Society

Transform Trial – Multi Center Experience with the Rapid Deployment Edwards Intuity Valve System For Valve Replacement. Co- National Principal Investigator. Sponsored by Edwards. Conducted in 20 Centers in the United States of which Swedish Medical Center will be one. Enrolling begins July 2012.

Clinical Protocol for a Double-Blind Multicenter Study of the Safety and Efficacy of Parecoxib Followed by Valdecoxib Compared to Placebo for the Treatment of Post-Surgical Pain in Patients who Have Coronary Bypass Graft via Median Sternotomy. PARA-0505-071. October 2002.

A Phase II Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of the Effect of H5G1.1-ScFv on Total Mortality and Adverse Cardiovascular Ischemic Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Cardiopulmonary Bypass December 1999 to August 2000

A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Group Comparison Study to Investigate the Efficacy and Safety of Aprotinin on Graft Patency in Patients Undergoing Primary Cardiopulmonary Bypass Surgery for Myocardial Revascularization April 1994 to September 1995

Secondary Prospective Study for the Evaluation of the Safety of Cryopreserved Human Allograft Heart Valves April 1993 to November 1994

A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Group Comparison Study to Investigate the Safety and Efficacy of Aprotinin in Reducing Blood loss and Transfusion Requirements in Patients Undergoing Primary Cardiopulmonary Bypass Surgery for Myocardial Revascularization March 1993 to February 1994

A Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial to Study the Effect of Prophylactic Use of the Automatic Implantable Cardioverter-Defribrillator on Survival in Patients who are having Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery and have Left Ventricular Dysfunction and positive Signal Averaged Electrocardiograms. (Survival Study.) 1992 to 1999

Use of Rabbit Anti-Human Thymocyte Globulin for Prophylaxis and Treatment of Allograft Rejection. 1990 to 1996

Cardiac Pacemakers in the Transplanted Heart: Short Term with the Biatrial Anastomosis and Unnecessary with the Bicaval Anastomosis. Herre JM, Barnhart GR and Llano A: Curr Opin Cardiolol 2000;15:115-120.

1. Gervis AS and Barnhart GR. Critical Decisions in Surgery: The Complex Multi-System Insured Patient. An educational program from Eli Lilly and Company, produced by Park Row Publishers, New York, 1984.

2. Hampton Roads Health Focus: Heart Failure. An educational program by the staff and physicians of the Heart Failure Program, Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. WVEC (Channel 13) March 31, 2003.

Do all cardiac surgery programs have the same quality outcomes? This is an important question all consumers must ask themselves if they or their loved ones must undergo an operation on their heart. Heart surgery has become increasingly common in recent years. Earlier awareness on the part of physicians and patients, advanced diagnostic testing and an increasing aging population with the inherent prevalence of heart disease has led to this surge in cases. Additionally, cardiac surgical teams are now operating on patients with multiple medical problems and doing more complex operations. Even with these factors, outcomes for patients continue to be optimal at centers of excellence.

But for today’s consumer, how does one choose where to have heart surgery? There are numerous choices both locally and nationally for all metropolitan areas. The consumer must ask: how do I know I am going to get the best of care? Should I go to a center with a “national” reputation? Is it just the doctor that makes the difference or does it involve the entire team caring for me: cardiologists, cardiac anesthesiologists, physician assistants, ICU nursing and intensivists (doctors specialized in the care of the ICU patient), OR staff, etc.? All of these questions must be asked before considering such an important operation at any hospital by any surgical team.

One of the best yardsticks for outcomes to help patients choosing where to have their surgery is ...